Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Article Tools

The long, rolling sensation started in Santa Barbara around 11:44 a.m., causing many to question their balance and wonder whether their chairs were independently tipping to and fro. And then that California sensitivity kicked in, and we realized what we were feeling: another earthquake, this one a 5.8 with an epicenter to the southeast, near Chino Hills, with reports of shaking as far away as Las Vegas.

For those who’ve experienced them before, the July 29 movement, which lasted 10 seconds or so, was a bit slower rolling than the usual quake, “like a groundswell,” explained one observer. That usually means it’s far away, but how far and how strong at its epicenter are the next questions. Luckily, although those around the Chino Hills surely felt the 5.8 quite strongly, that strength usually doesn’t result in any widespread disaster, at least in relatively prepared Southern California.

California’s most recent big ones that caused wide-scale destruction were the 6.4 Northridge quake of 1994 and the 6.9 Loma Prieta rumbler that hit the Bay Area in 1989. The 6.5 quake that hit Paso Robles and killed two people in December 2003 was also quite destructive and felt by many in Santa Barbara.

For those who haven’t experienced them before, it was something to behold. “I’m a little bit more Californian now,” laughed Indy reporter Ethan Stewart, a Cape Cod native who’s lived in the Golden State for nearly 10 years, but has always been away during quakes.

Earthquake season is year-round in the state of California. The more prepared the entire community is in the event of a disaster, the more advantages we all have rebounding from future catastrophes. Every family needs to:

• Prepare:o A Family Disaster Supplies Kit that includes enough of the following items to last your family to 3-5 days: o A Grab and Go Pack that includes extras of medications, and copies of family and tax documents, and a short list of key or sentimental items to take.

• Plan: o Create an Evacuation Plan with two escapes routes from your dwelling and neighborhood (include contingencies (e.g. night vs. day, car vs. foot)o An Emergency Meeting Place, in case an evacuation takes place during the day and family members are dispersed.o Discuss a Family Contact Plan, with names and daytime phone numbers of family members, neighbors/relatives and out-of-state contacts and designate a "family point person" whom all family members call or text during emergencies.

• Practice:o Discuss each plan and drill regularly. Each and every member of the family should know what they are to do and to expect others to do in times of emergency. When shaking starts, DROP, seek COVER and HOLD ON to something secure. o Regularly check smoke detectors, tie-down heavy objects and clear and secure water heaters in your dwelling.

• Working together with the California Governor's Offices of Emergency Services, Homeland Security and your local emergency responders, Team SAFE-T is committed to encouraging students, families and community members to bear responsibility for personal safety, and the safety of our communities.

• For more information on how to prepare and plan for emergencies in your home or community, and mitigate earthquake hazards and SECURE your SPACE please visit the California Office of Emergency Services Web site (www.oes.ca.gov) or the Team SAFE-T Web site (www.TeamSAFE-T.org) to access evacuation plans, checklists, and resources available in your area.

I really miss Earth Quakes out here on the East Coast.I use to sleep through many of the small and medium ones but it was the 'Shakers' that got my blood flowing. The last big one was the "Northridge" Quake of the early 90's. I was working that night at a hotel as a security guard when that quake hit. I remember listening to the local pets howling and wailing about an hour before the quake hit; those animals know when an earth quake is coming.Out here in Northern Virginia, we wouldn't have one building standing if a quake of any significance were to hit here. Nearly all the building are made out of brick and those that aren't have NO rebar reinforcement. Oh well, I live in the upper floor apartment of a two story building, so it's a short trip to the ground if it ever happens.